sidesplitting

American  

[sahyd-split-ing] / ˈsaɪdˌsplɪt ɪŋ /

adjective

1. convulsively uproarious.

   sidesplitting laughter.

2. producing uproarious laughter; extremely funny.

   sidesplitting farce.

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Other Word Forms

• sidesplittingly
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of sidesplitting

First recorded in 1855–60; side ¹ + splitting

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Explanation

Anything that makes you laugh out loud can be described as sidesplitting. If you are a stand-up comedian, your dream is to tell one sidesplitting joke after another. If you've ever laughed so hard that tears streamed down your face, or so uproariously that you nearly fell out of your chair, you know what sidesplitting means. This informal adjective is perfect for describing that kind of laughter. Originally spelled with a hyphen, side-splitting, and defined as "affecting with compulsive laugher," it first appeared around 1820.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sidesplitting

And while much of the movie induces sidesplitting guffaws, Tremaine said that producer and co-creator Spike Jonze was eager to highlight the sensitive beats shared between the cast.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

The moment is a typical Bondian bad-guy intro, and yet because of the facetiously serious tone and absurd context around it, it’s absolutely sidesplitting.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2024

"NoHo is soft," says someone writing him off as a threat in a crime that he masterminded – all part of the show's sidesplitting joke.

From Salon ● Apr. 24, 2022

Others are abrupt, landing with a sidesplitting hook.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 13, 2019

It seemed on our Galloway tour, in particular, that a' the funny, sidesplitting happenings saved themselves up till he was aboot to help to mak' them merrier.

From Between You and Me by Sir Harry Lauder

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